Jamican vigilante gets 8 yrs for killing Air Force veteran

This is a discussion on Jamican vigilante gets 8 yrs for killing Air Force veteran within the In the News: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly forums, part of the The Back Porch category; Jamican shoots neighbor hero over teen skateboarder
Jamaican bus driver who thought he was the boss of the park - he cries after being senrtenced
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Jamican vigilante gets 8 yrs for killing Air Force veteran

Jamaican bus driver who thought he was the boss of the park - he cries after being senrtenced

A 20 air force veteran, who protected a 14 yr old teen. is executed

Summary: In a quiet Tampa neighborhood a local tryant threatened a 14 yr old skate boarder with a gun, a Air Force veteran stepped in. The Jamican pulled back his shirt, flashed his gun, and told the hero to "Go *** himself". The shooter walked away, the veteran said you won't get away threatening me, my kid, and a teen. The enraged tyrant pulled his gun, turned, and shot the Air Force veteran.

On Jan 16 the Jamican was sentenced to 8 yrs, and stated that his color was why he got such a stiff sentence.

Article

Dooley, 72, shot and killed David James, 41, on Sept. 25, 2010, during an argument over a young skateboarder at the Twin Lakes recreational park in Valrico, across the street from Dooley’s home. The fatal confrontation happened in front of James’ daughter, Danielle, who was then 8

Judge Moody

Circuit Judge Ashley Moody handed down the 8-year-sentence, followed by 10 years of probation. The sentence was less than the minimum of more than 10 years in prison called for in state sentencing guidelines for the crime.

David James, Dooley continued, “brought it on himself. I tried to go home. I walked away. Do you really think if it was the other way around and the skin color was different, we would be here today? We wouldn’t.”

According to testimony James tried to get Dooley's gun. If someone takes your gun from you you could be in serious trouble. Dooley's was 69 at the time. He should mind his business not doubt. He certianly should not have flashed his gun. But when James decided to followed Dooley and tried take his gun away from him that would appear to change who is in the wrong, remember Dooley is headed back towards his home. There was a struggle for the gun and James was shot. Does't sound like murder to me. Both guys made big mistakes. One ended up dead and one ended up in jail for eight years. Both big prices to pay for making very bad choices. Eight years is likely a life sentence for Dooley. Based on the limited data I am going to do something that I don't do very often, state that i am satisfied with the judges decision.

If your gonna confront an armed man it's best to be armed yourself,If there was a problem I would have been on the phone with 911 to get them headed that way.
The Guy was stupid for trying to play COP and disarm the guy if he was walking back home.

"Circuit Judge Ashley Moody handed down the 8-year-sentence, followed by 10 years of probation. The sentence was less than the minimum of more than 10 years in prison called for in state sentencing guidelines for the crime."

This is a clear violation of the state's 10-20-life (for shooting someone) mandatory sentencing law. He should be thankful he got such a light sentence, and Judge Moody should be answering to the state attorney why she didn't follow mandatory sentencing laws.

Witness statements --- Dooley and James argued over letting the boy skate until Dooley lifted his shirt and said, "F--- you," the Whitts testified. They said Dooley turned and started home, but James caught up with him. "Mr. James said, 'Don't flash a weapon,' something like that," Michelle Whitt testified.

Then, she said, Dooley pulled out the gun and James grabbed his hand. The men struggled, they fell to the ground, and James ended up on his knees as Dooley lay on his side. They still wrestled for the gun.

According to testimony James tried to get Dooley's gun. If someone takes your gun from you you could be in serious trouble. Dooley's was 69 at the time. He should mind his business not doubt. He certianly should not have flashed his gun. But when James decided to followed Dooley and tried take his gun away from him that would appear to change who is in the wrong, remember Dooley is headed back towards his home. There was a struggle for the gun and James was shot. Does't sound like murder to me. Both guys made big mistakes. One ended up dead and one ended up in jail for eight years. Both big prices to pay for making very bad choices. Eight years is likely a life sentence for Dooley. Based on the limited data I am going to do something that I don't do very often, state that i am satisfied with the judges decision.

Obviously there are 2 sides to every story but the jury must not have believed that testimony or else surely they would have found him not guilty. I think you would definitely be justified in killing someone that is trying to take your gun away from you. Especially if you were trying to retreat and leave the area, regardless of whether or not you flashed your gun.

On the other hand, if he simply turned and shot the victim as stated in the Op's post, then he should have gotten the death penalty, since that is what he dished out.

"The time is now near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves."
------------------------------------— George Washington 1776
Gun free zones
are safe havens-
FOR CRIMINALS

Dooley and James argued over letting the boy skate until Dooley lifted his shirt and said, "F--- you," the Whitts testified.
END

Dooley was a butt-clown for being an angry old geezer, who had nothing else to complain about, and wasn't even being bothered by the skater.
He was the agressor the minute he crossed the street to confront the teen, and especially once he made it known to other persons he was armed and, definitely after his F-you remark.
He should be on death row.

Should James have used better discretion, especially with his daughter present, yes.
Should he have called 911 and had the police come and sort out Dooley's mental instability?
YES. Did he deserve to die?

I would rather die with good men than hide with cowardsIf you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."